Chapter 33

We walked out of the dressing room and hurried down the corridor of "Moonlit Beauty." We were heading to the room where Lark had been sleeping.

As we walked, Aba said,

"Actually... she was supposed to be awarded the Fourth-Class Medal."

"Fourth?"

I found it strange. I had heard that maintaining the front lines almost entirely depended on Lark.

"Yes, well, her contributions were worthy of a First-Class Medal, but she had stolen 'Moonlit Beauty' once... so it was offset to a Fourth-Class Medal."

"Does that mean the charges for that theft have been cleared?"

"Yes, that's right."

I felt relieved. I had thought it would be fine, but it was true that Lark had stolen the magic airship, and I had heard that it caused a big commotion in the country.

"However, many high-ranking officials expressed discomfort at the idea of awarding her a medal, and discussions continued even while the front-line battles were taking place. She probably knew about it."

"Such... that she would be awarded a medal?"

"It was decided yesterday. I think she didn't know. She might have felt neglected or feared being prosecuted, which is why she disappeared."

"..."

I realized it was different.

It wasn't something that would make her disappear without telling me.

What Lark was worried about wasn't the empire—

"Keisugran Federation"

"!?"

Aba stopped in his tracks, startled.

"Did the Keisugran Federation demand Lark?"

"...Why do you think so, Raiji?"

Indeed.

That country had realized that the Shadow King Magic Sword Technique Lark used originated from the "Six Heaven Mines." Moreover, they knew that Lark was a runaway slave from the mines.

"Did the Keisugran Federation explain the situation?"

"No... they just said that 'Black Pirate' is a citizen of the Keisugran Federation and they want to protect her, so they requested her immediate transfer..."

"I see."

Perhaps the Keisugran Federation wanted to keep the mine incident secret. Or more simply, they wanted to secure Lark quickly and quietly to prevent a large number of casualties if she were to cause trouble, and to extract her天赋珠玉 (Tianfu Pearl) swiftly.

"Let's hurry, Aba. Something must have happened in Lark's room, right?"

Aba seemed to want to hear more from me, but he prioritized finding Lark and immediately led us to her room.

"Here it is."

The room was not much different from the others. It was relatively large for a room on a limited space airship.

It felt like a hotel room with no personal touches, except for the slightly disheveled bed sheets.

"Here."

On the side table were paper, a pen, and an ink bottle.

The paper had a poorly written note, but it was legible enough:

"To little brother,

It seems I won't live much longer.

But I'll try to hang on a bit more."

The note was much better written than the one she left in the capital of the Ahnberg Duchy, which made me feel the passage of time.

"Why!"

I knew that Lark had been using her talent excessively, depleting her life force. I had been trying to convince her not to use it anymore and to have the Tianfu Pearl extracted.

But just as I was about to do so, she disappeared.

"Raiji"

Mimino's hand touched my wrist, and I was startled. My hand holding the paper was trembling so much that it was about to tear.

"Look closely... 'I'll try to hang on a bit more'"

"...Yes, but that means..."

"She's trying to live."

"!"

Mimino's words sank deep into my heart.

Yes, Lark is trying to live. She's trying to survive.

"Let's search. She's important to you, isn't she?"

Yes. Mimino is right.

If Lark has disappeared, we should search for her.

"——Dantes, Non"

When I turned to them,

"I know, no need to say more."

"Yes. ...I'll stay until the church calls me back, but I'll accompany you."

They said this without me having to ask.

...I can't help but wonder if I deserve so much kindness.

We met again after four years in the Holy Kingdom of Curvaan, and I came to the Lev Magic Empire to see Luluza because of my selfishness. Since then, it's been one unexpected event after another—worrying about my status and now asking them to help me find Lark.

Maybe it would be better if I went alone—

"Raiji. Don't even think about going alone."

"!?"

"It's written all over your face. I can tell that much. —One person has only two hands, but two have four, and four have eight. When Zelly joins us, he'll be a big help in situations like this."

"...Thank you, Dantes."

"Sure thing."

Dantes smiled and gave a thumbs up, looking too handsome.

"Raiji, if you're going to chase after her, it's better to act quickly. We'll issue the official documents regarding your status by today or tomorrow at the latest. The other 'wish' will take some time to consider—"

"Yes, once things calm down, I'll contact the adventurer's guild here."

"That's a good idea."

"Ah... and one more thing."

I remembered that there was someone else I needed to see.

I couldn't just leave without saying goodbye.

"Is it true that Lady Lark has left!?"

At that moment, a girl in a deep purple dress burst into the room.

Her long blonde hair shone even without glitter, and her red eyes were like beautiful jewels.

She said,

"Lady... it's been a while."

Eva stopped in her tracks.

"Raiji..."

She whispered, as if confirming that I wasn't a hallucination, a dream, or a mistake.

"Raiji!"

She called out again, more clearly.

Finally, we meet again.

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